The coldest looking sport in the world
Also: I am a bad Pennsylvanian
As some of you may know, I’m in Honolulu now. The forecast for Sunday is 80 degrees and sunny. Perfect beach weather, right? Nope. Not today. Today, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. I will be seated in front of a television set. And I will be loving every minute of it.
This is a great time to visit America for NFL fans who happen to live in China. The division championships. Atlanta vs. Philadelphia. New England vs. Pittsburgh. Winners advance to the Super Bowl. And I get to watch both games live. I know it sounds ridiculous, but other than meeting my nephew and visiting with family, the prospect of watching NFL games live was the thing that excited me most about coming to Hawaii. Well, OK — the weather’s a draw, too. It’s nice to go “home” without freezing your ass off.
Speaking of home — and freezing your ass off — thanks to FOX and CBS, I’ll get to spend six hours in Pennsylvania tomorrow … and the only thing cold will be the beer in my right hand. They are expecting a foot of snow before kickoff in Philly. The high temperature Sunday in Pittsburgh is expected to be 17 — with wind gusts of 30 miles per hour. And I, if I get sick of the commercials, can walk barefoot out onto my brother’s porch and see the Pacific Ocean.
(On the topic of commercials, I am rather troubled by Coors Light’s new slogan: “The coldest tasting beer in the world.” Who is the ad wizard that came up with that one? I’m not sure if I am more troubled by the fact that the statement is ridiculous — what in the name of Dick Yuengling is it supposed to mean? — or by the fact that is so genius — go ahead, try to prove them wrong. Regardless, a Coors Light might actually taste warm to those brave souls who attend the games on Sunday.)
I suppose I should be pulling for an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl, but I’m not. I’m rooting for the Atlanta Falcons all the way. Why? Well, some of them are more than just big guys with helmets to me. I’ve been to Burger King with them. I’ve held their babies. I’ve eaten barbecue in their kitchens. I’ve sat with their wives at the games. Hell, I’ve even prayed with them — and I’m not religious. Sound weird? It was a little bit. But, really, it wasn’t at all. During the 2001 NFL season I wrote a weekly newspaper column called On The Line with Todd McClure, a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a professional athlete. Todd (pictured) was the starting center for the Falcons back then, and he still is now. No. 62. If you see Michael Vick on the line of srimmage, look at his hands — that’s Todd’s ass he’s touching.
So, if you need something to occupy the empty hours leading up to gametime, check out On The Line. You won’t get as up-close-and-personal to Todd as Michael Vick does (really, would you want to?) but you might figure out that NFL players — well, offensive linemen, at least — are the everymen, the blue collar workers, of professional sports. They are just like you and me … only bigger, much stronger and likely quite a bit wealthier, too. And maybe you’ll understand why it’s hard for me to root against those guys in red and black.
Nine hours to kickoff. Stay warm, football fans.
Multimedia: Find links to recent video interviews with Todd here, here and here.
01.23.2005, 7:03 PM · Sports
6 Comments
Dan, I will be rooting against you then. I rooted for Philly. For an indoor doom team to play in one foot snow without home team advantage ?? Good lucky !! Look what happened with Ram last weekend. For anyone wants to integrate into American Culture, my advise is to learn football (the one play by hands). On Friday, half of the employees in my office building in Atlanta wore Falcons sweat shirts while I was chatting with the VP of a major bank in PA, who held an Eagle Coffee Mug. 7 minutes of our 10 minutes conversation was about who is going to win this weekend. Well, that’s the Corporate American culture for yall.
Henry,
Rooting for a team is very different from thinking they will win. You are a bad Atlantan!
Dan
Dan, it all started from the bragging rights of who knows how to pick the team. As the rookie on the floor, I got have to establish my name here. Plus, I am betting against a formal Georgia Tech MALE Cheerleader. Of course, I have to root hard for Philly. Otherwise, I will never hear enough of it from a cheerleader.
OK. Guess I should start pulling for that all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl.
And in FOX news: Is it just me, or do those microphones the FOX studio crew wears look like big fleshy moles protruding out of their right cheeks?
Dan, against everyone in my office. This rookie knows how to pick the team. Guess what I am going to put on my door next Monday?? “Let the Cheerleader cheer, Let the MAN pick the team!!!” I rooted for Steeler too. So let’s see how it will play out. However, I didn’t bet on this one though. Honestly, I didn’t notice the MIC. I was too busy talking about game with my buddies to notice.
Alright, what the hell is wrong with the Steeler on the first half?? I thought the Falcon was bad. Dan, make an effort!!!!!!!! After all you are from Pennsylvania.